Photo by Warren Scott CommonSpirit Health and UPMC said today they have signed a letter of intent to negotiate a deal that would result in the integration of Trinity Health System into the UPMC system.

STEUBENVILLE — CommonSpirit Health and UPMC have signed a non-binding letter of intent to negotiate an agreement that would result in the integration of Trinity Health System into the UPMC system, Trinity officials announced this morning.

Trinity Health System and UPMC share a vision and commitment to extend and advance services for local patients and the community, officials said. For more than 20 years, physicians and other clinical staff at Trinity Health System and UPMC have collaborated in key areas to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care, including:

— A partnership in local cancer treatment which extends UPMC Hillman Cancer Center’s medical oncology services to the local community. This partnership has brought leading-edge cancer expertise and treatment to the area.

— Advanced orthopedic services, leveraging UPMC’s renowned expertise to deliver specialized bone and joint care to our community.

Earlier this year, CommonSpirit Health and Trinity leadership initiated a search to identify a regional health system that could enhance the services and clinical offerings of Trinity Health System. The intent is to keep high-quality health care sustainable and locally available for today and future generations, hospital officials said.

During the next several months, entities will engage in discussions to work toward a definitive agreement, pending customary regulatory review and approvals. Trinity Health System and UPMC leaders hope to complete the affiliation as soon as possible.

Today’s announcement has been anticipated since late September, when a story originally reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that UPMC was negotiating to buy Trinity.